Lameness Flashcards
Lameness scale range
0-5
Lameness of 0
lameness is not perceptible under any circumstances
Lameness of 1
lameness is difficult to observe and is not consistently apparent, regardless of circumstances (under saddle, circling, inclines, hard surfaces)
Lameness of 2
lameness is difficult to observe at a walk or when trotting in a straight line but consistently apparent under certain circumstances (weight-carrying, circling, inclines, hard surface, etc.)
Lameness of 3
lameness is consistently observable at a trot under all circumstances
Lameness of 4
lameness is obvious at a walk
Lameness of 5
lameness produces minimal weight bearing in motion and/or at rest or a complete inability to move
How should a vet evaluate lameness?
-on different surfaces (hard and soft)
-under saddle
-at the walk and trot
What two gaits are lameness best evaluated?
walk and trot
-they are both symmetrical
-simplest gates
What are the main legs palpated for lameness?
back, neck, and forelegs
When the lame foreleg hits the ground, the head will…
bob up
When the sound foreleg hits the ground, the head will…
lower
How do vets use the lameness scale?
-as a recording system (known to any other vet looking at it)
-in lameness exams
-to assess treatment response (ex: going from a grade 5 to a 2 after treatment)
In most normal horses with good movement, the head and neck should be…
still
Why is it important that the handler trots the horse at a comfortable speed?
-if it is too slow, the gait can be falsely irregular
-if it is too fast, the lameness could be masked